So I'm thinking about getting an 06 for my first bike

[Dannyr]

get the r6 just take the safety msf course

[SFR6]

Originally Posted by 2K5Adam

Either you're joking with us or you are one of the most retarded person Ive met so far. Please, please take the folling advice from all of us memebers and USE IT.

1. I do NOT recommend the R6 as your first bike. As the others have said, get something smaller to learn on first *maybe an SV650, Ninja 500, or an older R6*. WHEN you go down, it will be alot less expensive to replace the relatively inexpensive parts on an older bike. Plus, you wouldnt want to completely wreck a brand new bike would you? Like Big Deezul said, the new R6 's a race bike with blinkers. Its not meant for beginners.

2. Gear wise, make sure to get:

A - A DOT/Snell approved helmet. Some good, low priced brands include HJC, Scorpion, M2R, and Icon.

B - A jacket of some sort. We would recommend leather jackets, as they will stand up to a crash MUCH better than textile jackets. Also, make sure your jacket has CE approved armor in the elbows and shoulder areas. Some good brands are Alpinestars, Fieldsheer, Gericke, Icon, and Teknic.

C - A pair of gloves with gauntlets *the thingys that cover your wrist and forearm*. We also recommend leather gloves over textile ones, for the same reason, they hold up much better when you crash. Good brands include Alpinestars, Gericke, Held, Icon, and Teknic.

D - A pair of over-the-ankle boots. These are especially important and alot of riders neglect their feet. A good, sturdy pair of boots will give you a much better chance of walking after a crash. Some good brands are Alpinestars, Gaerne, Icon, Oxtar, Sidi, and Teknic.

E - I, and Im sure alot of other people here, would also recommend a good back protector and if you are really going to tear up the canyons, a pair of leather pants OR a full leather suit.

The main idea with your gear is: Get what fits you best. The most expensive gear in the world wont help you if they dont fit. Also, you dont have to buy the BEST gear. Go with something a bit cheaper because again, this is your first bike and crashing is bound to happen.

3. YES, DO TAKE THE MSF!!!!! I cant stress that more. It's not just a motorcycle course you take so you can get your license and an insurance discount. It REALLY teaches you some really important fundamentals about riding that you would have to leanr the hard way by just "winging it". Plus, if you arent so sure you are ready for a bike, the MSF will show you how much skill you already posess and what youneed to work on.

4. GET INSURANCE! No matter what bike you decide on, make sure you get some insurance on that thing. Nothing sucks worse than crashing (either your fault or not) and not being able to fix your ride. Plus, if you do get in a bad wreck, the insurance will help pay for those expensive medical bills.

+1

[hesaves0211]

ok from the horses mouth here! ive been in your exact shoes sort of. hmm summer of 05 came along and i always loved that nice lil 03 r6 limited black w flames. well let me tell you, impulse buys arnt always the best but i love my R6. it was in mint condition by the way w a mircon high mount. anyway i didnt know much about sport bikes nor have i ever rode one. fortunately i had a friends suzuki bandit to learn off. however with the same respect i held for thats bandit i quickly exhibited for my r6 within a week. remind yourself constantly of the dangers before you ride and respect it as a weapon! im in the air force so i had to take the msf course. i highly recommend that and such as i did, take the course with a weaker bike. as for the 06 r6, duh cmon overkill- take the advice from our peers here. its a track bike and unless you want to be a dumb ass and rip your first new ride into a curve on accident (like my boy DJ, R.I.P). then dont worry about a spankin new 06 r6. okay lets talk gear, im equipped w the icon timax jacket (titanium plates) and a heavy pair of riding pants and a hjc dot hel. never get skimpy on your gear. ive had to many friends meet the asphalt and and report back to me in deep gratitude for their expensive gear which saved them, so dont fuck around. relax dont go over boarded w a bike which you can fully enjoy yet. track bikes ride high rpms and fast speeds and their riders are experts at brakes and cornering.

[kevRR]

I dont know why everyone thinks a 600 is an entry level bike?

100hp 360lbs give or take

I got my 00R6 when I was 18 and yes it was my first bike, but even when i sold it two years later it was still a fuckin blast to ride!

I have no desire to get a 1000 because a 600 is a phenomenal bike in the right hands.

on the other hand there aren't any cool looking bikes under 600.

[dtorresillasR6]

Well I started w/ a 05 r6 raven. And got into a minor accident within the first 6 months. But they r right r6 do have some balls. But if u never ridden any type of motorcycle, TAKE THE COURSE! Than get ur bike when ur ready. I think it hurts more seeing ur bike down! I've been riding for a year and a half and still have my R6 RAVEN refuse to get rid of it and just purchased a 08 R1 and its bitchen!! Be careful and be safe out there!! All u!

[MirageX]

Hi all, for what its worth I've had an 2003 R6 for the last 3 years and that was my first bike...

It was the best decision i ever made not wasting time on a 250cc and going straight to a 600cc as I didn't have to bother shopping around for two bikes and have people coming over having joy rides on your 250 when you try to sell it.

I'm 34 years of age now, so I was quite mature (yet still a hoon) when I got the bike. I was sensible enough to go real easy at the start and as my confidence picked up after the 1st month of riding every chance i had, I'd try more riskier manoevres. Yes I did come off after a year, it was wet and oily and i was doing about 30-40k's an hour (very slow) and no cars around (lucky) but it was not a mistake of my own as it was dark, just rained and I couldn't possibly see the oil as i was going around the corner...

Anyway, to make a long story short, i believe its fully up to the individual and if they survive their first year then they've pretty much made it. I ride with this in mind:
- everyone comes off at least once and every car will try to kill you every time you turn the key, not being paranoid here just mindful of the fact that we are small and quick and drivers mostly look out for cars not bikes.

Having said all that, a little bit of luck goes a long way too.

just my